Shoutout to the client who ghosted me after a $5000 project

I was finishing a big website build for a startup in Austin, sent the final invoice, and got radio silence. After three weeks of calls and emails, I realized they just weren't going to pay. That was six months ago. Now I get 50% upfront before I even open a design file, no exceptions. How do you handle your payment terms to avoid this?

Pro tip: A bad week with a velvet dress taught me to always test fabric movement first

Last month, I spent a full week working on a custom velvet dress for a client. The design was great, a deep green wrap style. I cut the pieces, started sewing, and everything looked perfect on the mannequin. But when the client tried it on for the final fitting, the whole thing pulled and twisted weirdly when she walked. The velvet nap was fighting the wrap direction. I had to take the whole thing apart in my studio in Austin. I lost three days re-cutting the main panels on the bias so the nap would flow right. It worked, but it was a huge waste of time and fabric, about $80 worth. Now I drape and walk around in any fabric with a nap before I even draw the pattern. Has anyone else had a fabric choice ruin a good design?

Honestly, my cordless clipper battery died mid-fade on a Friday night client. Had to finish with my old corded backup and it was a whole mess.